Maine Voters Legalize Marriage Equality; Baldwin Takes Wisconsin

AP has reported that Maine has approved same-sex marriage. The Portland, Maine Press Herald is reporting the vote as very close, with the few cities in the state probably making up the margin of difference. In 2009, only 44.3 percent voted in favor of marriage equality.

A poll in early October showed the pro marriage-equality forces with a commanding 21-point lead. Today’s vote represents a major defeat for the National Organization for Marriage, which poured money and resources into the state.

In Wisconsin, outgoing U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin decisively defeated former Gov. Tommy Thompson to win the open Senate seat. The victory makes her the first out-gay United States senator.

In another first, her successor in Wisconsin’s 2nd congressional district is a gay man, Mark Pocan.

As of this writing, Richard Tisei is in a tight race to win election as a congressman from Massachusetts. If he defeats Rep. John Tierney, he will be the first out-gay Republican elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Steve Weinstein has been a regular correspondent for the International Herald Tribune, the Advocate, the Village Voice and Out. He has been covering the AIDS crisis since the early '80s, when he began his career. He is the author of "The Q Guide to Fire Island" (Alyson, 2007).